Fourth of July in Atlanta!

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FOURTH OF JULY

Fourth of July in Atlanta!

On the 4th of July, watch the fireworks while being in the midst of the show 72 stories high at The Sun Dial Bar & View. This year, each level offers patrons something different: for $69, the Restaurant Level features a three course menu of Chef Messier’s summer favorites; the View Level caters to casual crowd with a buffet of picnic themed fare— $45 for adults, $20 for children 6-12 , kids 5 and under eat free; access to the Bar Level includes a $30 cover charge, which comes with one alcoholic beverage.















VIEWS

Get a first-class look at the Peachtree Road Race and the fireworks at these hot spots!

Market
W Atlanta – Buckhead
3377 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
404.523.3600
www.marketbuckhead.com

Hot Off the Grill

Join chef de cuisine Ian Winslade as he fires up the grill at Market at the W Atlanta Buckhead on the Fourth of July. Dining al fresco is ideal for those looking to enjoy a skyline view perfect for watching the fireworks. Spend the day on the patio with Market as we kick off the festivities bright and early. For breakfast, Market will be offering a $4 special on pastries, juices, coffee, water, tea and much more. But stick around because beginning at noon and on into dinner, Market will feature $4 sliders and domestic beer. When the sun has set, head up to Whiskey Blue for a great view of the fireworks, where hot dogs and burgers from Market will be on the grill until midnight for only $10. Market is located Peachtree Road, making it the ultimate destination to cheer on the runners and enjoy a mouth-watering meal with an ice cold beer. So, sit back and relax all day on the tranquil patio where the sensational smell of burgers hot off the grill will set the perfect mood for the Fourth of July celebrations.

TAP
1180 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30309
404.347.2220
tapat1180.com

TAP will open at 6:30 a.m. Come watch the world famous Peachtree Road Race on our large patio and enjoy a special Fourth of July brunch and lunch menu. Celebrate with our Annual Block Party featuring smoked BBQ Ribs, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, our classic summer sides and Georgia beers, cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn live radio, live band, kid’s entertainment, super soakers and barrels of bottled water for runners and fans. Dinner and happy hour to follow. For reservations, call 404.347.2220.

TWO urban licks
820 Ralph McGill Blvd.
Atlanta, GA 30306
404.522.4622
twourbanlicks.com

TWO urban licks will be open regular hours. Enjoy live music and a great view of the Downtown fireworks on our patio. The fireworks will be in the kitchen as well with TWO’s signature Fiery American cooking! For reservations, call 404.522.4622.


The Melting Pot Midtown
754 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, Ga. 30308
404.389.0099
http://www.meltingpot.com/


Red, Wine and Brew Block Party!

Looking to party with a purpose this Independence Day? Celebrate Fourth of July in the heart of Midtown on Peachtree Street, and spend the day with The Melting Pot, Gordon Biersch and Livingston! Guests will enjoy block party festivities including; live music, great food, and a chance to win great prizes. In honor of the holiday, all three restaurants will feature $4 drinks and $4 menu specials, and The Melting Pot will take a “fourth” off your entire bill (25 percent off) when you purchase any four-course fondue dinner for two! No need to worry about driving home, as The Georgian Terrace is offering a special $114 “Race, Play & Stay” room rate. Convenient Marta access makes viewing Centennial Olympic Park’s fireworks show easy. Head back to the block party on Peachtree after the fireworks and party with us until midnight! Whether you’re looking for a party after the Peachtree Road Race or a place to spend the day with friends, Red, Wine and Brew is for you! Tickets will be available for purchase the day of the event from 11a.m. – 5 p.m. at The Melting Pot Midtown for $10 or $5 with your 2009 Peachtree Road Race t-shirt or number. All ticket sales will be donated to Bert’s Big Adventure. For advance ticket purchase information, visit bertsbigadventure.com.

STATS
300 Marietta St.
Atlanta, GA 30313
404.885.1472
statsatl.com

Come to STATS for $3 XX and enjoy the great rooftop view of the fireworks over Centennial Park Towers and cheer on the Atlanta Braves as they play the Nationals on the big screen TVs!. For reservations, call 404.885.1472.

30 Tables and 11 Stories
at the Glenn Hotel
110 Marietta Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
404.469.0700
30Tables.com
11StoriesAtlanta.com

30 Tables and 11 Stories will be open regular hours. Enjoy Atlanta’s premier rooftop view of Downtown’s fireworks - there’s no better view in the city! Sip on $3 High Life and $5 daily shots. For reservations, call 404.469.0700.



BREWS
Why not beat the heat with a delicious and refreshing cocktail from the city’s best mixologists who have created special holiday cocktails.

Room at TWELVE
400 W. Peachtree St.
Atlanta, GA 30308
404.418.1250
roomattwelve.com



Mixologist Steven Kowalczuk, named one of the Top 100 Mixologists at the 2008 Grand Marnier and NAVAN Summit, voted Tanqueray’s 2005 Most Wanted Bartender in Atlanta and featured in the November 2002 issue of InStyle magazine, created the following lemonade cocktails to offer refreshing relief during the hot Atlanta summers.

Lemon Raspberry:
Build in a tin ¾ filled with ice
2 oz UV Blue Raspberry Vodka
4 oz Fresh lemonade
¾ oz simple syrup
Juice of 1 fresh lemon
Shake and pour contents into 22 pilsner glass
Top with sprite and 3 jumbo cherries

Lemon Cherry:
Build in a tin ¾ filled with ice
2 oz UV Cherry Vodka
4 oz. Fresh lemonade
¾ oz simple syrup
Juice of 1 fresh lemon
Shake and pour contents into 22 pilsner glass
Top with Sprite and 3 jumbo cherries

Watermelonade:
Build in a tin ¾ filled with ice
1 ½ oz Ouzo (anise-flavored liquor)
2 oz. Fresh lemonade
¾ oz. Watermelon Schnapps
juice of a whole lemon
¾ oz. simple syrup
Shake and pour contents into tall Collins glass
Garnish with thick lemon wheel on rim of glass

The Melting Pot
Four Atlanta Locations
Meltingpot.com

Champagne Cocktail Flight
Celebrate Fourth of July at The Melting Pot with their Red, White and Blue Champagne Cocktail Flight. For $12, this enjoy this festive cocktail while gearing up for Atlanta’s fireworks show. Available at all Atlanta locations while supplies last.

Red - .5oz Monin Raspberry, 1oz cranberry juice, top with sparkling.
Build: Combine ingredients in mixing tin with minimal ice and stir. Strain drink into champagne flute.

White - 1oz Bombay Gin, .25 lemon squeezed, .5oz simple syrup, top with sparkling.
Build: Combine ingredients in mixing tin with minimal ice and stir. Strain drink into champagne flute.

Blue - .75oz Hiram Walker Blue Curacao, .75oz UV Blue Raspberry Flavored Vodka, top with sparkling.
Build: Combine ingredients in mixing tin with minimal ice and stir. Strain drink into champagne flute.


MORE
Haven’t found your Fourth fit? Have some dining independence at any of the following restaurants!

Murphy’s
997 Virginia Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30306
404.872.0904
murphysvh.com

Enjoy Murphy’s world-famous brunch from 8 am to 4 pm. No reservations. First come, first serve. Murphy’s will be open regular hours for dinner. For dinner reservations, call 404.872.0904.

Lobby at TWELVE
361 17th Street
Atlanta, GA 30363
404.961.7370
lobbyattwelve.com

Lobby at TWELVE will serve breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30 am, lunch from 11:30 am to 2 pm and dinner from 6 to 9 pm. The bar/bistro will serve from 11 am to 11 pm. For reservations, call 404.961.7370.

Room at TWELVE
400 W. Peachtree St.
Atlanta, GA 30308
404.418.1250
roomattwelve.com

Room at TWELVE’s dining room will open at 7:30 am and close at 11 pm. The bar will open at 5 pm and close at 12 am. For reservations, call 404.418.1250.

Alon's Bakery & Market
4505 Ashford Dunwoody Road 1394 N. Highland Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30346 Atlanta, GA 30306
678.397.1781 404.872.6000
www.alons.com

Celebrate the 4th of July with a delicious picnic from Alon’s. Savor succulent grill-ready meats and choose from a variety of signature sides, from Fingerling Potato Salad and Black Bean and Fresh Corn Salad to Fresh Caprese Salad and Roasted Summer Vegetables. Alon’s even has the baskets, plates, napkins and other accessories to make the perfect patriotic picnic. And don’t forget to cool down with Alon’s delicious homemade gelato!

Craft Atlanta and Craftbar
3376 Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA 30326
404.995.7580
www.craftrestaurant.com

Get ready for the 2009 Peachtree Road Race on July 4, 2009, by fueling up at Craft. Craft will be open from 7am – 11am the morning of the race for spectators to enjoy. Included in its breakfast spread are granola yogurt parfaits with berries, sausage biscuits, morning glory muffins, fresh coffee, orange juice and water. Craft will be closed for brunch and dinner, but come out to Craftbar on the first floor, which will open for dinner from 2p.m. until 10 p.m. Choose from the extensive wine list or sample specialty cocktails, including “Fat in the Hat”: Bacon-Infused Four Roses Bourbon, Antica Formula & Angostura Bitters; “Rum Old Fashioned”: Zacapa Centenario 23 Year Rum, Regan’s Orange Bitters, Cherry and Orange; “Sunshine Squeeze #1”: Prairie Organic Vodka, Fresh Ginger, Depaz Cane Syrup, Lemon and Lime; and a wide array of beers, ciders and champagnes to go around!

Gourmet Magazine’s DRINKS WITH SPIRIT

If you want to kick off your celebration of America's birthday at cocktail hour, mix up a Blue Hawaii, or try a Red Apple: In a cocktail shaker ¾ full of ice, shake 1 oz vodka, 1 oz apple juice, ½ oz fresh lemon juice, ½ oz grenadine, and a dash of orange bitters and strain it into a chilled cocktail glass. Or you could just open a bottle of Allagash White, straight from the great state of Maine.

Fine Living’s BLUEBERRY TEA

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries 5 cups brewed and cooled black or green tea Combine blueberries and about a cup of iced tea in a blender and puree until smooth. Strain through a fine sieve into a pitcher and add remaining iced tea. To serve, pour into glasses over ice.

Marietta Fish Market

Marietta Fish Market
3185 Canton Rd.
Marietta, GA 30066
770-218-FISH
http://www.mariettafishmarket.net/

Photo of Food Network's Guy Fieri at Marietta Fish Market


I went to the new restaurant, Marietta Fish Market, recently with my parents and their dinner club, which consists of good friends who were all employees of Southern Company's IT division at some point. We all came away very pleased with our meals.


What did you order? How was your food?

MFM's menu is available online. I ordered the Seashore Combo, which was delicious and perfectly seasoned. It is a platter with Flounder, Baby Shrimp, Stuffed Clam & Deviled Crab for $13.95.


Describe your impressions of the service. Was anything exceptionally good (or bad) about the quality of service you received.

Wow! The service was amazing!!! Our server was a young man who checked on us constantly. The dinner club's tickets were split into several groups, but he handled it with finesse. As we left the establishment, every employee said that they hoped we had a good time and said goodnight.


Do you consider this a good value for the money you spent? If no, why not?

Yes. It was a mid-range restaurant, and the plates were full of delicious food. You will not leave hungry!


On a scale of 1-5 peaches (with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best), how would you rate this restaurant compared to the other restaurants you visit on a regular basis.

I would give it 4 out of 5 peaches, for a very nice neighborhood seafood restaurant. I liked it better than Red Lobster, that's for sure. We are going to be tougher critics from now on, by the way! :)

This restaurant is best for (Choose all that apply)


• Good food • Quick bite • Family-friendly

• Outdoor • Romantic • Special occasion

Doug's Place

Doug's Place
696 Highway 293
Emerson, GA 30137
(770) 382-9063











Linda and her son Sean visited Doug's Place recently for lunch.

What did you order? How was your food?

Linda had turnip greens, macaroni and cheese, and chicken livers. Sean ordered fried okra, mashed potatoes, chicken fingers. Linda drank sweet tea, and Sean drank Sprite. "The chicken livers are crispy and delicious. There's more food than you could eat. The sweet tea was just perfect."


Describe your impressions of the service. Was anything exceptionally good (or bad) about the quality of service you received?

"Service was very fast, friendly, and efficient."


What do you think of the décor and atmosphere?

"The decor is homey and country - no frills. It's just a place to sit and eat. It's just like eating at your mama's."


Do you consider this a good value for the money you spent? If no, why not?

"It's very reasonably priced - the best deal in town."


On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best), how would you rate this restaurant compared to the other restaurants you visit on a regular basis.

"I would give it a 9, because the food, service, and price can't be beat."


This restaurant is best for (Choose all that apply)

• Good food • Quick bite • Family-friendly
• Outdoor • Romantic • Special occasion

Everybody's Pizza

Everybody's Pizza
Decatur Location
1593 North Decatur Rd.
Decatur, GA 30307
(404)377-7766
http://www.everybodyspizza.com/

My mom and I went to Everybody's Pizza the other day after visiting the King Tut exhibit at the Civic Center. Why did we head over to Decatur? Because we used to live there. Plus, Decatur is awesome! I remember visiting Everybody's Pizza as a very small child. We also used to go to Athens Pizza. Both of these restaurants rock! Everybody's is a very atmospheric, college-town, casual pizza parlor. It also has a beautiful outside eating area. After our delicious meal, my mom showed me around Emory, where she used to go to school. A very pretty campus. Well, here is my review of Everybody's.



What did you order? How was your food?

We both ordered a pint of Warsteiner, which was frosty cold and wonderful. For our meal, we ordered "Pizza Crisps" which have very thin crusts. Mine was a Florentine with "fresh spinach, Roma tomato, mozzarella, provolone, parmesan, sharp cheddar, and vinaigrette," and Mom's was a Key Largo with "shrimp, bacon, sesame seeds, mozzarella, provolone, ricotta, parmesan, Roma tomato, and vinaigrette." We loved both of them, and they sure tasted fantastic with a cold beer! For dessert, we had bread pudding, and it was scrumptious!


Describe your impressions of the service. Was anything exceptionally good (or bad) about the quality of service you received?

Service was good. The waitresses were very friendly.



Do you consider this a good value for the money you spent? If no, why not?

Yes. Both of our pizzas were around 13 or 14 bucks, but they were pretty big and the ingredients were fresh and gourmet.



This restaurant is best for... Families, Casual Dining, Romantic Pizza Night. :)


Atlanta Foodies gives Everybody's Pizza 5/5 peaches for perfect Decatur pizza!

McCafé Treats

Yummy New McDonald's Beverages

I love the new McDonald's McCafé drinks for three reasons. First of all, they are yummy! Second, they are convenient because McDonald's are everywhere, and third, they are cheaper than the competition. Whenever I leave my house early enough in the morning to have extra time, I get one to take to work with me. My favorites are the large iced coffee and the hot mocha.

Some other options are "Lattes, Mochas and Cappuccinos in a variety of options and flavors including Iced, Caramel, Hazelnut, Vanilla and Sugar-Free Vanilla, and Premium Roast Coffee and Premium Hot Chocolate." So try 'em -- you'll like 'em! :)

Lahore Grill

Lahore Grill
Indo-Pak Restaurant
Cobb International Plaza
Ste. 150

1869 Cobb Parkway S.
Marietta, GA 30060
http://www.lahoregrill.com/
678-398-9868





If you live in Marietta and love Indian food, but you would like an alternative to Haveli (and you miss India's Oven next to Life Grocery), then Lahore Grill is the restaurant for you. Personally, I adore Indian food, culture, and movies. Lahore was recommended to me by an Indian patron who brings her children to my storytimes at the library. Although she is vegetarian, her husband loves meat, just like mine does. Dan and I dined here last week, and we will definitely be back!














What did you order? How was your food?

The food is great. It's different from other Indian cuisine, because it reflects more of the northern Indian and Pakistani cuisine which includes meat. We ordered Samosas, Mutton Korma, Tandoori Chicken Tikka, Lamb Seekh Kabab, Naan, Rice, and Kheer. I will try more of their vegetable dishes next time, but everything was fantastic. The Samosas were delicious. They had a unique flavor and were very spicy. Dan loved the Mutton Korma and the other meat dishes. I enjoyed the Tandoori Chicken and the Seekh Kabab. The Naan (flatbread) and Rice were as good or better than other Indian restaurants, and the Kheer (rice pudding) was wonderful, too. I would love to try a different dessert next time, though, and a Mango Lassi (yogurt drink). I love Lassis. Also, you can order your dessert sweetened with Splenda if you want, which is a nice touch.


Describe your impressions of the service. Was anything exceptionally good (or bad) about the quality of service you received?

Service was very friendly, and we didn't have to wait long for our food.


What do you think of the décor and atmosphere?

The decor and atmosphere are clean, casual, and Indian-inspired, with Indian and Pakistani art on the walls. An Indian channel played on the television, which added to the atmosphere. To get a feel for this, please check out Lahore's website at http://www.lahoregrill.com/about-us.html, where they have a video to introduce their restaurant. By the way, in case you are wondering, Lahore is not a French word for nefarious lady, it is actually the second largest city in Pakistan, and is the capital of Punjab.


Do you consider this a good value for the money you spent? If no, why not?

Yes. We love Indian food, and we eat it a lot. Compared to other restaurants, it's an excellent value.

This restaurant is best for...

Families, Casual Dining, learning about another culture.


Atlanta Foodies gives Lahore Grill 5/5 peaches for delicious, authentic Indo-Pak fare.

The three brothers who own Lahore Grill - Azmat, Asad Ali, and Zulfiqar.

Photos from NRIPulse.com - http://www.nripulse.com/Ad_Features/LahoreGrill.html

Free Grand Slam at Denny's!

FYI
All Denny's Restaurants will be giving away free Grand Slam Breakfasts from 6 AM to 2 PM this Tuesday, February 3rd.